Students at the Blue Rock School in West Nyack decorated shoe boxes and filled them with toiletries, books, games, stuffed animals, mittens, hats, scarves and comforting messages of hope for Breezy Point children affected by Superstorm Sandy. The packages were delivered by student Mae Woods and her parents.

Students prepare storm care packages

BLUE ROCK - Students at the Blue Rock School in West Nyack brought cheer to children in Breezy Point, whose homes were burned during Hurricane Sandy. They decorated shoe boxes and filled them with toiletries, books, games, stuffed animals, mittens, hats, scarves and comforting messages of hope. The 55 care packages were delivered by Mae Woods , a sixth-grader at the school, who traveled to the Breezy Point Fire Station with her parents to deliver the packages on Thanksgiving Day.

Student's cards aid Rockaway WISH

CLARKSTOWN - Nicaela Ryan, a junior at Clarkstown North High School, created holiday cards and notecards that she is selling to benefit families in Rockaway/Breezy Point post Hurricane Sandy.

She has raised over $800 and all of the proceeds will benefit Rockaway WISH (Women Inspired to Support & Help). Their mission is to provide monetary relief for victims during the recovery and rebuild phases. Ryan has set out to help this community where her father grew up and over a dozen relatives who live there have lost or been displaced from their homes due to Sandy. The photo cards show beautiful scenes from this year and were photographed by Ryan and two of her cousins who live there. She sold the cards in packs of 10 for $20. Her parents donated the cost of the cards, which can be purchased by emailing nicaela@optonline.net.

Kindergarten registration set

NORTH ROCKLAND - Registration will take place at the district's three K-3 elementary schools for the classes of 2012-2013.

The schools will be mailing appointment information to all their incoming kindergarten families. If a family does not receive a packet they should contact their individual school.

Arts Day planned at school library

NORTH ROCKLAND - North Rockland High School is holding its annual Arts Day from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 19. The school's library will be turned into an art gallery under the direction of Hussein Holland, art coordinator for the district, with students displaying their artwork and art projects. Joan Banke, the music coordinator, will lead a performance of holiday musical selections throughout the day.

Dodgeball tourney helps Pets for Vets

ROCKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE - RCC student veterans organized a dodgeball tournament to raise funds for Pets for Vets. The event raised $250 for the organization, which pairs veterans with a shelter dog that is specially selected to match his or her personality.

The organization employs professional animal trainers to teach the dogs to be a good companion and fit in with their adopted families, teaching them to recognize and help with panic or anxiety disorders and to desensitize them to wheelchairs, crutches, or other medical devices.